Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – From July 3 to 12, the 8th Parachutist Field Artillery Group (8º GAC Pqdt) conducted Operation Condor II Fires, an exercise to train the fire support systems of the Parachutist Infantry Brigade (Bda Inf Pqdt). The activities were conducted at the 8th Group’s facilities, at AMAN’s Fire Support Simulator (SIMAF) in Resende, and at the Gericinó Training Camp (CIG). The purpose of the operation was to train fire support assets and specialized personnel from Bda Inf Pqdt’s military organizations in planning, preparing, and executing fire support during the conquest and maintenance of an air bridgehead, and to train military personnel from base weapons in conducting artillery fire by observers from any weapon.
It consisted of two phases, one theoretical, from July 3 to 7, which included: a doctrinal review, with the SIMAF Any-Gun Observer Artillery Firing Training Course; fire planning and coordination instruction, at all levels up to brigade; naval fire support, with officers from the Brazilian Navy; and non-kinetic actuators, with an officer from the 20th Parachutist Communications Company (Cia Com Pqdt).
The second, practical phase was conducted at the IGC on July 10, 11 and 12, and consisted of reconnaissance, selection and occupation of firing positions by the 1st Parachutist Howitzer Battery, mortar platoons from the 25th Parachutist Infantry Battalion (25th BI Pqdt), the 26th BI Pqdt and the 27th BI Pqdt, and the Mortar Section of the 1st Parachutist Cavalry Squadron. The tactical context included: fire support in the conquest and maintenance of the air bridgehead, deployment of the Command Post area by the Command Battery of the 8th GAC Pqdt, anti-aircraft defense conducted by the 21st Parachutist Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery (21st Bia AAAe Pqdt) and integration of observation work with the use of SARP by the Parachutist Precursor Company.
The Commander of the Parachute Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Adriano Fructuoso da Costa, the Chief of Staff, Colonel Pasinato, and the other commanders of the paratrooper military organizations attended the activities, strengthening the integration of fire and maneuver within the scope of the 8th Parachute Field Artillery Group, a Strategic Employment Force of the Brazilian Army.
Source: 8th Parachute Field Artillery Group *** Translated by the DEFCONPress FYI Team ***